Persuasive Essay: The Role Of Prayer In Public School
Prayer In Public School
Over the past century, prayer has slowly but surely been phased out of public school. It used to be a daily and mandatory event. Of course, with anything that is required, there are always people who try to refute it. The results of prayer being mandatory are shown today. It has been taken out of the daily routine. Some of the core principles that this country was founded upon have been taken out of the public school system. This was because of the diverse populations that would sweep through the cities. Consequently, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in school is an infraction on the First Amendment (FindLaw). Things have gone downhill in the public school system since then. Legal quarrels have arisen over the discussion of religious freedom (FindLaw). …show more content…
Public schools should begin the day with a silent prayer time in order to benefit both the students and the teachers,
Historical/Background Information
Since the 1940s, courts have ordinarily held that the Pledge of Allegiance is admissible, given that it is voluntary.
However, some people have still presented lawsuits arguing that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment due to the phrase “under God”. Prayer was a normal practice in colonial schools, which were normally branches of a nearby Protestant church. Leading up to and through the nineteenth century, this tradition continued. As immigration multiplied, attempts were made by education reformers to modernize and curtail religious influence within schools (FindLaw). At the time, there was only a number of Protestant schools in the country. Now, there are thousands of them. The lawsuits that have been filed against public school boards for instilling prayer have been critical modern milestones in the challenge between federalism and states’ rights.
School prayer was removed from the public school system by gradually altering the definition of the First Amendment through a multitude of court cases and hearings. Among the top three is The Regent’s School Prayer in the Engel v. Vitale case of 1962.
My Position
M
Opposition
L
Biblical Viewpoint The power of prayer is remarkable. It can be seen throughout the entire Bible as well as the course of human history. In 1755, George Washington, a British Colonel, was fighting against the French for a colonial territory. On July 9, the British began marching towards Pittsburgh but were stopped and attacked at a ravine. More than 900 soldiers lost their lives, but Washington's prayers did not go unheard. He remarkably survived the battle after having two horses shout out from under him as well as for bullet holes enter his coat (CBN, 2013). Now, biblically speaking, prayer is seen all throughout the Bible. One story in particular involves a man named Elijah. In James 5:16-18 it says that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Elijah prayed sincerely that it would not rain and there was no rainfall on the land for 3 1/2 years (Bible). Later on, he prayed again and it rained and the ground produced crops. God absolutely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and works in response to them. God absolutely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and works in response to that. Prayer is a personal connection with God. It creates an open line with him. Undoubtedly, prayer is beneficial for everyone. It helps develop a hunger for God which makes someone naturally motivated to meet with him in prayer on a regular basis. It also is encouraging for the times that challenges bog down. It says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (Bible). Of course, the prayers lifted up must be in accordance with His will. One cannot approach God and consistently ask for things without building that personal connection and thanking him (Connecting, 2017). Additionally, the person who prays has a channel for stress and anxiety. Blood pressure as well as recovery after surgery has been shown to significantly enhance in those who find amenity through prayer (Rodgers).
Over the past century, prayer has slowly but surely been phased out of public school. It used to be a daily and mandatory event. Of course, with anything that is required, there are always people who try to refute it. The results of prayer being mandatory are shown today. It has been taken out of the daily routine. Some of the core principles that this country was founded upon have been taken out of the public school system. This was because of the diverse populations that would sweep through the cities. Consequently, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in school is an infraction on the First Amendment (FindLaw). Things have gone downhill in the public school system since then. Legal quarrels have arisen over the discussion of religious freedom (FindLaw). …show more content…
Public schools should begin the day with a silent prayer time in order to benefit both the students and the teachers,
Historical/Background Information
Since the 1940s, courts have ordinarily held that the Pledge of Allegiance is admissible, given that it is voluntary.
However, some people have still presented lawsuits arguing that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment due to the phrase “under God”. Prayer was a normal practice in colonial schools, which were normally branches of a nearby Protestant church. Leading up to and through the nineteenth century, this tradition continued. As immigration multiplied, attempts were made by education reformers to modernize and curtail religious influence within schools (FindLaw). At the time, there was only a number of Protestant schools in the country. Now, there are thousands of them. The lawsuits that have been filed against public school boards for instilling prayer have been critical modern milestones in the challenge between federalism and states’ rights.
School prayer was removed from the public school system by gradually altering the definition of the First Amendment through a multitude of court cases and hearings. Among the top three is The Regent’s School Prayer in the Engel v. Vitale case of 1962.
My Position
M
Opposition
L
Biblical Viewpoint The power of prayer is remarkable. It can be seen throughout the entire Bible as well as the course of human history. In 1755, George Washington, a British Colonel, was fighting against the French for a colonial territory. On July 9, the British began marching towards Pittsburgh but were stopped and attacked at a ravine. More than 900 soldiers lost their lives, but Washington's prayers did not go unheard. He remarkably survived the battle after having two horses shout out from under him as well as for bullet holes enter his coat (CBN, 2013). Now, biblically speaking, prayer is seen all throughout the Bible. One story in particular involves a man named Elijah. In James 5:16-18 it says that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Elijah prayed sincerely that it would not rain and there was no rainfall on the land for 3 1/2 years (Bible). Later on, he prayed again and it rained and the ground produced crops. God absolutely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and works in response to them. God absolutely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and works in response to that. Prayer is a personal connection with God. It creates an open line with him. Undoubtedly, prayer is beneficial for everyone. It helps develop a hunger for God which makes someone naturally motivated to meet with him in prayer on a regular basis. It also is encouraging for the times that challenges bog down. It says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (Bible). Of course, the prayers lifted up must be in accordance with His will. One cannot approach God and consistently ask for things without building that personal connection and thanking him (Connecting, 2017). Additionally, the person who prays has a channel for stress and anxiety. Blood pressure as well as recovery after surgery has been shown to significantly enhance in those who find amenity through prayer (Rodgers).